Chapter Sixty: You! Haven't Rinsed Your Mouth Yet!

Qin Lin'er basked in warmth, while Qin Xuan worried about dirtying his bed—he’d just put on clean sheets for the New Year!

“Brother!” Sensing Qin Xuan’s absent-mindedness, Qin Lin'er called out angrily, “Hold me tighter!”

“Oh…” Qin Xuan responded, tightening his arms slightly. The heat from her body seemed to seep right into him.

“Stop moving!” Feeling something amiss, Qin Xuan quickly tried to restrain the squirming Lin'er.

Time slipped by. Despite their intention to sleep, Qin Xuan couldn’t drift off. Maybe it was just too hot with two people under the covers, he comforted himself.

He gazed at Lin'er, sleeping in his arms, and couldn’t help but reach out to stroke her hair, smiling as he did so, like patting a loyal dog.

Unbeknownst to him, Lin'er wasn’t asleep at all. Her mind was filled with words she longed to say, but she couldn’t find the courage or the starting point.

Past midnight, Qin Xuan whispered in Lin'er’s ear.

“Lin'er, Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, brother!” she replied instinctively, then realized what she’d done and quickly covered her mouth.

“You’re not asleep yet?” Qin Xuan chuckled and pulled her closer.

“No, not yet, I’m about to…” Lin'er felt his chest against her back, her voice trembling.

“Alright, then sleep,” Qin Xuan said gently.

His calm words made Lin'er feel ever more conflicted. Unable to hold back, she finally turned to face him.

Qin Xuan looked at her, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

Lin'er said nothing, simply wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face to his chest.

Qin Xuan felt his chest grow hot, her breath against him, palpable even through their clothes.

“Brother… when you marry Sister Xi, will you stop caring about me?” Lin'er finally spoke, her voice soft.

Qin Xuan paused, then laughed, “Why would I? What goes on in that little head of yours?”

Lin'er: I’m thinking about you!

Of course, she only dared say that to herself—for now, at least… in the future, who knows?

“I’m sticking with you anyway. Even if you get married, I’m coming with you!” Lin'er feigned helplessness, clinging to his waist, unwilling to let go.

Qin Xuan didn’t think much of it, patting her back in comfort, “Alright, stick with me.”

A while later, out of sight, Lin'er’s fist clenched tightly: Qin Xuan! I like you!

“Mhm, I like you too,” Qin Xuan replied, barely awake, not thinking at all.

Lin'er’s eyes lit up with joy, but then she realized he was talking nonsense in his sleep.

She couldn’t help but give him a little punch on the back, but Qin Xuan didn’t react at all. Tough luck!

All that courage she’d gathered felt wasted—her confession bounced back and left her frustrated.

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became, until she finally drifted off in a haze.

When she woke the next morning, it was because Liu Ruoxi roused her—

Liu Ruoxi had woken up early. Entering the room, she found an extra person in Qin Xuan’s bed, while Nan Zhiyi was on the sofa outside with her phone. So… Lin'er! You’re asking for trouble!

Lin'er, woken up by the pain, was still dazed when Liu Ruoxi slapped her a few more times, finally snapping her out of it. Seeing Ruoxi’s angry face, she knew she was in trouble.

“Ruoxi… Sister, you’re misunderstanding!” Lin'er’s mind raced.

“What misunderstanding? You’re stealing from the inside! I even asked you to keep an eye on Zhiyi,” Ruoxi, furious, was about to lash out again. Luckily, Qin Xuan woke up. Lin'er quickly burrowed into his arms.

“What’s going on here?” Qin Xuan, holding Lin'er, looked at Ruoxi, curious.

“Hmph! Did Lin'er sleep in your room last night?” Ruoxi demanded.

Qin Xuan thought for a moment, glanced at Lin'er’s pitiful face, “No, she just came to wake me up and ended up sleeping a bit longer…”

He didn’t know why he lied to Ruoxi, maybe just to spare Lin'er from more punishment. Getting beaten on New Year’s Day didn’t seem right…

“Eh? Is that so?” Ruoxi awkwardly scratched her head.

“Yes!” With her brother backing her up, Lin'er grew bolder.

“Well, sorry then! My mistake,” Ruoxi apologized, a little embarrassed. “Want to hit me back?”

She even turned around to offer.

Lin'er considered it: Forget it, if I hit her back, she’ll get me even worse next time.

“Never mind, I’ll forgive you!” Lin'er waved magnanimously.

Ruoxi nodded, “Come on, get up and eat.”

With that, she left them alone.

Once Ruoxi was gone, Lin'er quickly leaned over and kissed Qin Xuan on the cheek.

“Thank you, brother!”

“You! You haven’t brushed your teeth!” Qin Xuan complained, grabbing a tissue to wipe his face.

“Hmph! I won’t talk to you!” It took her so much courage to kiss him and he’s disgusted?

Lin'er hopped off the bed, slipped on her slippers, and darted away in her pajamas. Luckily, Ruoxi didn’t suspect anything.

Qin Xuan watched her leave, pausing mid-motion—such a grown-up, yet still like a child!

When Qin Xuan finished tidying up and went out, everyone was at the table eating tangyuan, even Ruoxi with a bowl in hand—so she came just for breakfast?

Last night, Liu Hao and Bai Xiaomin had played games all night, and only went to sleep when Ruoxi got up. With no other choice, Ruoxi came here for breakfast; she was used to freeloading by now.

Nan Zhiyi observed Ruoxi’s downcast expression, imagining what might’ve happened, but unfortunately, she hadn’t learned that skill yet.

They chatted idly as they ate, and with nothing pressing today, Qin Xuan and Ruoxi stayed home to play, while Qin Jianguo and Wang Manshu went to a gathering.

Before that, they had to send Grandma home. She’d spent the night, but couldn’t sleep well, constantly reminiscing about her own bed. Perhaps elders are particular about their beds; nothing could be done. They’d hoped she’d stay longer.

Before leaving, Grandma specifically reminded Qin Xuan to handle his relationships well. Grandma knew Lin'er’s identity, and everyone present felt awkward, but Grandma just smiled as she got into the car and left.

With everyone gone, Qin Xuan and the others were left bored. Liu Hao was still sleeping, and Qin Xuan couldn’t play games with him.

Ultimately, Lin'er dug out a deck of cards from some drawer…

But with four people, there was no way around it—Qin Xuan was forced to sit out, watching the three play Fight the Landlord.

Soon enough, Qin Xuan found amusement—sometimes advising Nan Zhiyi, sometimes mocking Ruoxi for her poor play.

The three weren’t spared from punishment, either. Simple enough: if you lost, you drank a glass of beer; if you were the landlord and lost, it doubled.

An hour later, Qin Xuan looked complicatedly at Ruoxi, who was sprawled confusedly on the sofa…

Ruoxi’s skills were mediocre, but she liked to show off. With a few good cards, she’d grab the landlord spot, only to be ruthlessly pummeled by Nan Zhiyi and Lin'er, who promptly got her drunk. Though Nan Zhiyi and Lin'er drank some themselves, at least they remained sober…